•CCONO COPY. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap..t.^,f opyright No. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 
^VETERAN'S STORY ^ 



«^ By ^ 



ADA CHRISTINE LIGHTSEY, 



DEDICATED 



To The 



^ HEROES, ^ 

WHO WORE THE GRAY. 



«^* t^* f^W 



THE MERIDIAN NEVA/S, 

Printers and Binders. 

MenioKN, Miss. 



1ST1 






312:^9 



COPYRIGHT 

By ADA CHRISTINE LIGHTSEY 

April 3rd, 1899, 

DALEVILLE, MISS. 



TwoooP»iEs Rftoeivio, 




INTRODUCTION. 

^*' ^* ^* 

During- long- Winter evening-s the old farmer Veteran, 
whose retentive memory dwells on the events of the 
past, has told his children the incidents and stories of 
his soldier life in the army of Northern Virginia. At 
last the thought occurred to me : Why not g-et him to 
beg-in at the da}- when his compan)', ''The Jasper 
Grays," left their homes in the rugged hills of old Jasper 
countj', Miss., to g-o out to battle for the Southern cause, 
and tell the events of the four year's conflict in rotation 
'till he came back home a weary, foot-sore soldier, after 
the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox ? 

In thoug-ht he carries us with him through fertile val- 
leys where war rag-ed wild and fierce, o'er winding 
mountain passes and in toilsome marches along- the Po- 
tomac, James and Rappahannock. 

In imagination, we view with rapture the grandeur of 
the scener}' in the fair Virginia clime. 

Awe fills our souls while he tells of the soldier life of 
Southern men when the snow and sleet had mantled 
valley, plain and mountain. He tells of the sentinel 
who stood at his post of dut}' for many lonely hours, 
keejMng- vigil while a weary army slumbered. Throug-h 
the four year's strife, amid cannon boom and rattle of 
musketrj^ that stifled the moan of wounded and dying, 
the Veteran has taken us in story, showing the heroic 
endurance of the men in Gray and telling- the g-reatness 
of the two unrivalled warriors — Lee and Jackson. 

The Veteran's Daughter, 

ADA CHKISTINE LIGHTSEY. 






THE VETERAN'S STORY. 






To The Heroes Who Wore The Gray 1 his Little 
Book Is Dedicated. 



^2r^ f^^ t^^ ^^ 



Listen to the Veteran's story. 
Of his four year's army life, 

Many incidents are woven 

With the glamour of the strife. 

In the camp and on the marches, 

Even on the battle field 
With the trag-ic there was comic, 

Which the Veteran will reveal. 

Lee and Jackson — warrior heroes — 
Led their gallant men to fame. 

When we hear their deeds ref)eated, 
Patriotism fans to flame. 

Listen to the Veteran's Story, 
People of our Southern land I 

For he tells of the deeds of dariny 
Of an army great and grand. 



A GREETING TO THE VETERANS. 

Though the flag of the Southland was conquered, 
And tenderly, tearfulh' they laid it away ; 

Still dear to our hearts is its sacred old story ; 
Forever in memory that story will stay. 

Now, we are loyal to the Star Spangled Banner, 

As peacefully o'er us it waves ; 
But we cherish our South's sainted memories ; 

And oft strew with flowers the soldiers' lone graves. 
The memories of heroes are cherished — 

Of brave men who fell in the fray, 
There'll be a record of brave women's struggles, 

Who made for them jackets of gray. 

The daughters of Southland are loyal 

To the Veterans now faltering and old ; 

Ere long they'll pass ofl^ the stage of life's action 
With most of their valor untold. 

But we'll weave round their memories a halo. 
That brighter and brighter will grow. 

Till at last 'twill be part of the country 

That once was enwrapped in the vestures of woe. 

Never will fade the bright glory, 

Forever recorded 'twill be, 
Of men who left home and their loved one.s 

To enter the conflict with Lee. 

The war between brothers and country 
Was waged by ill feeling and strife ; 

But the battle in which all are now fighting 
Is the ever earnest battle of life. 

In this conflict all are enlisted together ; 

O, let us work 'till the set of life's sun. 
Then the angels will bring us the message, 

"Come up higher — your duty's been done." 

Then forgotten will be every sorrow 

That has burdened our hearts for long years ; 

We'll all sing together sweet anthems 
And move to the "music of spheres." 

—ADA CHRISTINE LIGHTSEY. 



ROSTER 



Of Company F, i6th Mississippi. 



The following- Koster of Compiuiy F, Kith Mis.sis.sij)!)! Keg-i- 
inent, was prepared after the close of the war, by the old Orderly 
Sergeant, John F. McConiiick, from memory, assisted by his 
comrades. 

Captains. 



35 Boulton, C M 

36 Bingham, C 

37 Brady, — 

38 Brady, - 

39 Clark, J B 
49 Clark, John 

41 Caldwell, Wm 

42 Carter, John 

43 Connor, W 

44 Crawford, John 

45 Craven, John R 

46 Craven, Jas R 

47 Cain, H F 

48 Cain, Thos 

49 Cain, W F 

50 Chandler, T L 

51 Carr, J B 

52 Daniels, J G 
Offickks & Privates 53 Davis, John 



1 J .T Sliannon, 

2 J J Walton, 

3 D L Duke, 

Lieutenants. 

4 T J Bankston, 

5 W M Pardue, 

6 T W Grayson, 

7 C A Jennings, 

* J J Walton, 

8 C H Wilson, 

9 E Y Terral, 

* D h Duke, 

10 P M Loper, 
HOC Jones. 



NON-COM. 



12 Acker, W P 

13 Adams, C R 

14 Anderson, G M 

15 Anderson, N 

16 Arledge, IDS 

17 Arledge, W M 

18 Alexander, J 

19 Armstrongs, — 

20 Bishop, John 

21 Bankston, D O 

22 Baker, John 

23 Barksdalc. I 

24 Bergen, P 

25 Beville, R M 

26 Brown, J VV 

27 Burns, O 

28 Bridges, J C C 

29 Bridg-es, W 

30 Breithanpt, J 

31 Bruce, W VV 

32 Byrd,R A 

33 Brannon, S R 

34 Bodie, G W 



54 Daly, John 

55 Daly, Tim 

56 Dolan, L 

57 Donald, VV A 

58 Downs, J M 

59 Downs, W J 

60 Downs. D M 

61 Downs, Marion 

62 Duke, B F 

63 Davis, W^ M 

64 Erwin, G W 

65 Ellis, G E 

66 Everett, B F 

67 Everett, Sam 

68 Fatheree, J VV 

69 Fatheree F P 

70 Fatheree, T J 

71 Fewox. J M 

72 Gandy, — 

73 Gibson, J A 
74Green, I H 

75 Grayson, C 

76 Gough, A P 

77 Gray, — 



The Vktkkan's Stoky. 



89 

90 

91 

92 

93 

94 

95 

96 

97 

98 

99 

100 

101 

102 

103 

104 

105 

106 

107 

108 

109 

110 

111 

112 

113 

114 

115 

116 

117 

118 

119 

120 

121 

122 

123 

124 

125 

126 

127 

128 

129 

130 

131 



Harris, J C 
Hankins. P O 
Harper, j H 
Harper. W F 
Heidelberfr. G C 
Howard, Jones 
Hopkins, Jolin 
Hopkins. R H 
Hudson, Eli 
Huffhev, J F 
Hair. G W 
Jatnes, R H 
James, R W 
James, C P 
James. Wni 
Jones, D M 
Jones, Polk 
Keeton. G W 
Keily, P 
Keith. J W 
Keown R L/ 
Killen. G W 
Kidd, Wm 
Odoni, A 
Lanpfham. A 
Lawless. J VV 
Lawless, T J 
Lee, J N 
Lee, W W 
Li«-htsey, R J 
Lindsey. J W 
Linder, J L 
Loper, J S 
Mark ham. J G 
Mears, John 
Miller. J H 
Minton, Jas 
Morgan, W N 
Morris. vS J 
Morris. W B 
Morris, R C 
Morris, James 
Mounter. U M 
Mullins. P 
Malvev, P 
Mulan'. P 
Myer. A B 
McCorniick. J F 
McCormick, J U 
McCormick. F M 
McCormick. J E 
McCraney. J T 
McCraney. M 
McCurdy, C 



132 McDevitt. J A 

133 McDonald, B E 

134 McDonald. H A 

135 McDonald, D S 

136 McDonald. W P 

137 McKinstrv, J T 

138 McMickle. H V 

139 McPhail, Lsa;ic 

140 McNeil, ME T 

141 Moody, J D 

142 Neelv, James 

143 O'Brien, Mike 

144 O'Flinn, Tim 

145 Oldham, J W 

146 OUiphant. J W 

147 Overstreet. T J 

148 Owens, Henry 

149 Orr, O J 

150 Parker, J F 

151 Perry, Jacob F 

152 Porter, M 

153 Pearce, G W 

154 Rambo, J R 

155 Reeves, Isaac N 

156 Register. G S 

157 Robinson, A P 

158 Robinson, Alex 

159 Rogers, Seth 

160 Reynolds. J P 

161 Read.R M 

162 Searcy, — 

163 Selby, G W 

164 Sharman, C I 

165 Shephard, Wm 

166 Skehan. Wm 

167 Smith. A B 

168 Smith. Hector 

169 Smith, J B 

170 Smith, J E 

171 Smith, P C 

172 Smith, T L 

173 Smith. W B 

174 Smith, Sam 

175 Snell, J M 

176 Starling, T L 

177 Starling. F M 

178 Steele. J .1 V 

179 Stillman. C H 

180 Taylor. J A 

181 Talbot. N 

182 Taylor. H L 

183 Tray lor, J J 

184 Travlor. J M 

185 Turner, M G 



The Veteran's Story 



186 Turner. Wm 

187 Turner, Allen 

188 Thoninson, J B 

189 Thonipsou, W C 

190 Ulnier, J W 

191 Watkins, R M 

192 Wei born, J E 



193 Whitley, H J 

194 Whitten, Jesse 

195 WillinKham,C J 

196 Whittin-4-ton. J C 

197 Yarber, .lames 

198 Young, John. 




5^*" t^^ t3^ 



THE VETERAN'S STORY. 



t^* t^^ «^^ 



CHAPTER I. 



"In Mississippi, g-ood old State, 
We left our homes afar. 

And went to old Virgfinia 
To battle in the war." 



In 1861, when the call for volunteers came, the loyal 
sons in and near the picturesque old town of Paulding-, 
Jasper count}'. Miss., immediately responded. The old 
county was an enthusiastic advocate of * "State Rit>-hts" 
and proudly sent her sons to battle for the "Stars and 
Bars." We were willing- and eager to g-o. The editor 
and proprietor, Markham and Shannon, of the Eastern 
Clarion and their employes laid down journalistic work 
and enlisted with us. The "Jasper Grays" were g-iven 
a dinner at DeSoto, a town in Clarke county on the 
Mobile & Ohio railroad. May 21st, where a larg-e crowd 
g-athered to tell the soldier boys g-ood-bve. Fathers, 



10 The Vktekan's Stoky. 

mothers, brothers, sisters, sweethearts and wives — thev 
were all there. That evening; we took the train for 
Corinth, Miss. When our compan3' g-ot to Corinth, we 
were sent to the jail house for lodg-ing-. Our Captain, J. 
J. Shannon, was indij^nant and said : "We have started 
off to battle and it will commence rig-ht here if we 
are not removed from this place." This speech had the 
desired effect, and we were given lodging- in a church. 
We stayed three months at Corinth,beingdrilledas State 
troops. While here, old Father Boheim, who had left 
his ivA'-crowned church and the people he loved, joined 
us. Some of the boys in the company were of his faith, 
but he was a g-ood friend of the Protestant boys and 
cheered us in our life of toil and hardships. In days of 
sickness, it was his gentle hand that administered to our 
physical wants. In hours of sorrow and home-sickness, 
it was his comforting words that bade us be of good 
cheer. But he never tried to win us from our faith. The 
privations of camp life proved too severe for him and 
after the close of the first year with earthly duties nobl}' 
done, his heroic soul was wafted to a realm of peace. 

When the call for troops came from Virginia w^e were 
enrolled in the Confederacy as Company F, helping to 
form the 16th Mississippi Regiment, and sent on to the 
Virginia arm}'. 

The battle was raging, the conflict] was mighty and 
e, along with thousands of others, were to be the 
actors in the g-reatest drama the world has ever known. 
After leaving Corinth, the first town we passed was 
luka, Miss., then entered Ahibama and went bv that 
pictures(|ue town, Huntsville, nestled in a beautiful 



TiiK Vetkkan's Story. 11 

valle}', encircled by blue, misty mountains. The little city 
looked so peaceful and dreamy that while admiring- its 
beauty, I most forg-ot that strife was at fever heat in our 
Southland- 

Chattanoog-a and Knoxville were interesting- cities in 
Tennessee, through which we passed. Somewhere 
between Bristol, Tenn., and L3'nchburg, Va., we went 
through a long tunnel. As the cars sped on in the 
darkness my thoughts were many and varied. 

At Lynchburg-, among one of the fairest cities of the 
"Old Dominion," we stayed several days awaiting trans- 
portation. Our camp was southeast of the city, behind 
a large hill, near a sparkling spring. From Lynchburg 
to Manassas, we passed places that afteward were made 
historic by the great war. 

We reached Manassas Junction just after the first bat- 
tle and stayed there doing camp duty, being drilled, etc., 
until the Spring- oi V)2, when Joseph E. Johnston evacu- 
ated Manassas and his command fell back to the Rap- 
pahannock River where it was halted. Ewell's division 
was placed on the Rappahannock to g-uard Kelly's Ford, 
nothing- takings place. 

The Federal army marched down on the opposite side 
of the river to Fredericksburg. It was transported to 
Yorktown, and Johnston transported his army there to 
meet the Federals. Ewell's division was left on the 
Rappahannock and remained there till May, 1862, 
having no skirmishes. From there we were ordered to 
Gordonsville and camped there three days, having- no 
picket duties. Our march had been a weary one. The 
muddy roads, over which we passed, made us tired and 



12 Thk Vkti'KAn's Story. 

stupid. On the march \vc discarded all our belong-ing-s 
except a blanket, tent fly, haversack and canteen. A 
g-ood friend was the old canteen to the soldier boys. 

A Southern poet, Montg^omery M. Folsoni, so beauti- 
full}- says : 

A shapeless relic battered, bruised, 

Grimed with the rust of years, 

Stained with heroic blood, suffused with woman's tenderest 

tears. 
Its pristine lustre low^ 'g-ruwii dim around the camp fires' 

smoke, 
Remindful in its dented rim of many a sabre stroke. 
What tales of tumult mig-ht unfold could it but tind a 

tong-ue, 
When o'er the blood-besodden world the clouds of conflict 

hung- ! 
What days when nations stood appalled by man^' a fateful 

scene 
Are to the thoughtful mind recalled by that cast off canteen! 

EvvelTs division was ordered from Gordonsville to the 
valley of Virg-inia ; on the march the Blue Ridge Moun- 
tains were crossed. Over them the winding- road was a 
gradual ascent and a gradual descent. On the summit 
of the heights a spring- gushed forth, sending a little 
stream down the rugg-ed mountain-side. When we 
crossed over into the Luray \'alle3'. Spring- was awaken- 
ing in her floral beauty. It is only the poet who can 
describe the scenery of a Virginia valley. The soldier, 
in his eagerness to press on in warfare and conquer the 
foe, looked on those valleys with admiration. 

We were sent to re-enforce Jackson and camped three 
or four days in the Luray. This was in May, ISf)2. 

Earlv one morning orders came for us to move. We 



TiiK Vktewan's Stoky. 13 

were put on a bii;- turn-pike road and halted. Gen. 
Jackson came g-allopiny; down the line, cheered by the 
Rebel Yell. After he passed, we took up a line of 
march. Taylor's Louisiana brig^ade bein<^ in front. Then 
came Trimble's and lull's l)ri»4-ade and Stuart's brigride 
of IMarvlanders. Nearing- Front Ro3'al, we left the big- 
road, taking- a country road, making- a short cut. 

Not long- after leaving the big- road orders were g-iven 
to load our guns. Still, a Federal had not been seen. 
Wheat's batalHon, of Taylor's brigade, was thrown out 
as skirmishers with the first Maryland regiment. The}- 
advanced upon the enem3''s picket line at Front Royal, 
surprised them, run them in, captured the town and 
drove the enemy across the Shenandoah River. One 
branch of the river was forded, the other bridg^ed. The 
Yankees tried to burn the bridge but were stopped by 
our cavalry. The cavalry coming- on behind Wheat's 
batallion captured the command. 

Crossing the river, three miles from Front Roval, we 
came to the beautiful little Cedarville, where Trimble's 
brigade took the front. The Federal army was on the 
Valley Pike Road, retreating to Winchester as fast as 
they could g-o. Trimble's and Stuart's brigades were 
left on the road from Front Royal to Winchester, Jack- 
son had called Taylor's and Kll's brig-adesto his division, 
which was moving- to-wards the Pike Road. About two 
miles from Cedarville, Trimble's and Stuart's brig-ades, 
weary and worn, stopped for the night, having orders to 
sleep on our arms. 

The next morning- about day-break, the line advanced 
towards Winchester. Going- through a larg-c wheat 



14 The Vetkwan's Stoky. 

field, the licavv (low of a ISIa^- morninir thoroug'hly 
drenched us. When about a mile and a half of the 
march was made the 21st North Carolina reg-iment com- 
menced finding- the Federals and drove their pickets 
back to their line of battle, which was posted behind a 
stone fence. The 21st North Carolina dashed up to the 
line and was checked by a voile}' from the Yanks, but 
was re-inforced by the 21st Georgia. The 16th Missis- 
sippi W2nt to the rig-ht and just as we g^ot in position, 
the 15th Alabama which was still on the rig-ht, and the 
21st Georg-ia and 21st North Carolina routed the enemy 
and the whole army set up the Rebel Yell and took after 
them. 

In the 16tli Mississippi regiment there was one 
Indian. The first time that he heard a cannon fire he 
was badly frightened and started back the other way. 
When another big- g-un was fired he came back and said 
that there was as much dang-er in the rear as there was 
at the front, so he decided to stay and made a g-ood 
soldier during- the four years. 

P^rom Winchester we pursued the enemy toCharlestown. 
When we entered this town, where old John Brown, the 
insurrectionist, was hang-ed, the hoys commenced 
sinsrintr : 



"Down at Harper's Ferry Section, 

They raised ati insurrection, 

Old Brown thoiig-ht the nej^^roes would sustain him, 

But alon;^' came Governor Wise 

And t<K>k him by surprise 

And sent him to the happy land of Caanan. 



The Vktekan's Stoky. 15 

"Old Brown's dead and the last word he said 

Was don't keep me long- here remaining. 

They took him up a slope 

And dropped him on a rope. 

And sent him to the happy land of Caanan." 

After passing- throuy-h the town, we w^ere halted and 
received orders to retreat. On May 30, 1862, our whole 
arm}- was retreatinj^ upon Strasburo". (len. EwelTs 
division arrived in time to check Fremont, until Jackson 
came up with the balance of the army. We had marched 
all nig-ht in mud and rain, but did not care for that, just 
so we beat the Yankees there. When Jackson rode up 
next morning- he received a tremendous cheering-. The 
boys said : "More rations now ; we see old Stonewall's 
here." On the evening- of June 1st, our retreat up the 
valley was resumed, with Fremont in lively pursuit of 
us. We left the Valley Pike Road at Harrisonburg- and 
went to Cross Keys, There was a Frenchman command- 
ing- a reg-iment of Federal cavalry, who was very anxious 
to meet our g-allant Gen. Ashby. He met him, was 
captured, dismounted and sent to the rear. As he passed 
by, splashing- throug-h the mud, our boys said : "Mister, 
where did you come from?" '^Where did you g-et them 
boots?" He was the worst chagrined man that was 
ever seen. On Sunday morning-, June 8th, Fremont 
advanced to attack us at Cross Keys. Trimble's brig-ade 
was posted on the right flank of the army. We were 
assaulted by Blenker's German division. We gave them 
one volley and charg-ed the enemy, capturing- a number 
of prisoners. They were eager to see the great 
"Shackson," as they called him. Martin Turner, the 
tirst man in our company to g-et wounded, receive.l a 



16 Tin-; Victkkax's Stoky. 

flesh wound in his let;- ;it this h.iUlo. His leg^s were 
small and the bovs had been telling- him that there was 
no dunger of him ever being- shot in the leg's. One of 
the boys said it must have been a fine bead drawn out 
th;it hit him. 

On the 0th of June, Jackson foug;ht the battle of Port 
Republic. We then retired to Brown's Gap and camped 
for several days, resting- and recruiting- after all of our 
long and toilsome marches. Our men were cheerful and 
full of life. They were continually telling- the old 
citizens, with their "stove-pipe" hats on, to "Comedown 
out of that bee g"um, mister, we know you is thar, for we 
see your legs sticking out !" 

"No matter how weary the marches, 

Or toilsome and rugged the way, 
III camp, jokes always were passing. 

Which made the boj's cheerful and gay." 



•^A^ 



CHAPTER II. 

On the 17th of June we received orders to cook three 
days' rations. Grape vine teleg-rams were circulating- 
freely throug-h our camps. One was that rations were 
getting scarce and Jackson was going to make another 
draw on old Banks. On the 18th we were ordered to 
march, with instructions not to tell any one where we 
were from or where we were going. The latter we did 
not know ourselves. The first place known on the march 
was Gordonsville. 

There the grape vine was in operation again. One 
dispatch said that Manassas was our destination. 
Another said Fredericksburg was the point. But when the 
march was resumed we started towards Richmond. Some 
of the boys said that Jackson was after the rations of 
the Grand Arm}^ of the Potomac, which proved to be 
true. 

We marched down the railroad to Ashland and 
camped for the night, having orders not to make any 
noise. Soon there was to be serious work for us. We 
started early next morning, crossed the Central Railroad 
and were then on the right Hank of McClellan's army. 
Our scouts began to come in, reporting the enemy close 
at hand. Hood's Texas brigade was in front. Their 
skirmishers soon found the Federals posted on the 
opposite side of a little stream. They were soon driven 
away and we moved on a short distance when the skir- 
mishintr became verv lively. 



18 TiiK Vktkkan's Stoky. 

The boys knew that Jackson was after the Yankee 
«^rub sure 'nou<2;-h. About 3 o'clock in the evening' the 
Yanks made a bold stand. Stonewall g^alloped to the 
front and ordered one of our batteries to open lire, which 
soon drove them back. We had then turned the enemy's 
rig-ht flank at Mechanicsville. As soon as our batteries 
opened tire Gen. Lee beg^an to move his army to the front 
and they were soon hotly engag^ed, but Jackson's pres- 
ence, so far, in the rear soon caused the Federals to 
retreat, followed by A. P. Hill's division of Lee's armv. 
The Yanks made a stand at Beaver Dam Creek. Gen. 
Long-street, the "Old War Horse," joined Hill and the 
battle opened in earnest, continuing- till latein the night. 

We were then at Pole Green church. Longstreet and 
Hill attacked the Federals earl}' the next morning- and 
drove them down to Cold Harbor. Stonewall's army was 
still on the flank. The Yankees made a bold stand at 
Cold Harbor, fully determined to hold the place. Hood's 
Texas brigade, Lawton's Georgia brig-ade. Col. Law's 
Mississippi brigade and Trimble's brig-ade were now 
brought forward. As we were g-oing- to the front we 
saw Gen. Lee, Jefi"erson Davis and Stonewall Jackson. 
We ^ave them a hearty cheer. Davis tipped hishatand 
said : "Hurrah for old Missip!" Jackson drove the 
Yanks from Cold Harbor and g-ot their provisions and 
whisky, too. l*he next da}' our division was sent to 
g-uard the railroad bridge, on the Chickahominy River. 
The bridg-e was burned before we reached it. When we 
g-ot there a train was lieard coming- down the road. Just 
as it g-ot to the river the whole thing- exploded, making a 
teriftic noise. Thev evidontiv tliought we would rush 



The Veteran's Stoky. 19 

upon the train to capture it and would be blown to 
atoms, but Jackson was too sharp to be caug^ht by an}- 
such tricks. He ordered us not to go near the train. 
Next day we crossed the river and marched t(^ Malvern 
Hill and fought the hardest battle we had ever been 
eng-ag-ed in. It lasted till far into the nig-ht. We slept 
on the battle field, expecting- to renew the eng-ag-ement 
on the morrow, liut to our g-reat joy and satisfaction the 
Yanks had left during- the nig-ht. They certainly g-ot 
off in a hurry for their food and all their dead and 
wounded were left behind. 

This ended the Seven Day's Fig-ht below Richmond- 
We then moved near Richmond and went into camp. 
Here we were transferred from Ewell's division, Trim- 
ble's brig-ade, to Anderson's division, Featherston's 
brig-ade, composed of the 12th, 16th, 19th and 48th Mis- 
sissippi reg"iments. Anderson's division was composed 
of Wilcox's Alabama brig-ade, Wright's Georg-ia, Perrj-'s 
Florida, Mahones's Virg-inia, and Featherston's Missis- 
sippi. 

While in camp we heard C. K. Marshall, of Mississippi, 
preach. He spoke about four hours. I never heard any- 
thing- equal to his sermon before or since. The army of 
Northern Virg-inia had driven the Federals from around 
Richmond and retired from their victorious campaig-n to 
rest, and all of us were feeling- good; the g-rand preaclier 
was also in g-ood spirits. He established a "Way Side 
Home" at Richmond for the Mississippi troops. When a 
Mississippi soldier landed there he was taken care of in 
this home. One day a crowd of us went there and ate 
dinner. We received a warm welcome. A number of 



20 Tine Vktf:kan's Stoky. 

oltl clisublod Confederates were there being" cared for. 

We went to the theater in Richmond and saw the 
mountain scenery of Virg-inia ; also the first battle of 
Manassas. The scenery and battle, too, looked very 
natural. One nig-ht we serenaded President Davis. He 
came out on the portico of the Mansion and saluted us. 
We called for a speech. He responded very promptly. 
He said : "Fellow comrades, 3'ou are Mississippians. I 
am proud of the record you have made and I am satisiied 
that 3'ou will maintain your g-ood record wherever you 
are called upon to meet the enemy." In his usual dig^ni- 
lied manner, he bowed to us and retired. We g"Ave him 
a hearty cheer and marched back to camp. 

The Federals org-anized another army in Northern 
Yirg-inia, commanded by Gen. Pope, whose headquarters 
were the saddle. Jackson was sent with a spiall force 
to look after him. They met at Cedar Run and Jackson 
drove him back to Culpepper Court House, with heavy 
loss. The Federal army from the James was sent to re- 
inforce Pope. Jackson then retired to Gordonsville until 
the balance of Lee's army could be sent to his relief. 
When Lee came up we were moved to the Rajndan River 
and camped there for a few days. Orders were received 
to cook three days' rations. The g'rape vine dispatches 
were numerous as to our destination. When the food 
was prepared, orders came for us to move. Soon after 
starting", a tremendous Rebel Yell was heard behind us. 
Looking- back, we saw Jackson coming" down the line. 
As he passed, we took up the yell, the troops in front 
also took it up and it went ring"ing" as far as we could 
hear. The boys commenced to speculate as to Jack- 



The Veteran's Stoky. 21 

son's movements. One little fellow in our company 
said : "Boys, I'll tell you, old Stonewall is hunting- 
rations for us and he will iind 'em, too." We crossed the 
riv^er at Ely's Ford, and went to Rapahannock Station 
on the Rapahannock River. There we found Pope with 
his army stationed on the opposite sid« of the river to 
dispute our passag-e. Jackson paid very little attention 
to him. He g-ave them a few cannon shots and marched 
on to another crossing-. Finding the Yankees posted 
on the other side he would fire two or three big- g-uns 
and resume the march, with Long-street and Hill brino-- 
ing-up the rear. The march was continued till we 
reached Warring-ton Spring-s, where a crossing- was 
effected. A heavy thunder storm, with a down pour of rain, 
caused Jackson to withdraw his troops. Thus, the race 
up the river was ended. The boys beg-an to g-uy the little 
fellow about the rations that old Stonewall was g-oing-to 
capture. He said : "Never mind, boys, he'll g-et 'em 
yet." We went into camp, drew three days' rations, 
with orders to move at daylig-ht. 

When the orders were received, our little fellow said : 
"I tell you boys, we are bound to g-et the Yankee g-rub, 
for Jackson never fails." At daylig-ht we commenced 
moving. Long-street and Hill remained in front of Pope, 
while Jackson and his corps moved around Pope's right 
flank and came down upon Manassas Junction in his 
rear. There we captured the g-arrison and all of Pope's 
army supplies. Our little boy shouted : "I told you so, 
boys !" After being- well supplied, we burned what was 
left and moved on to the Manassas Plains, near the stone 
bridge on Bull Run Creek. There Jackson intended to 



22 



TiiK Vktkkan's Stoky, 



stand at ba^- till Longstreet and Hill could come to his 
relief, which they did in time to give the Yankees a ter- 
rible thrashinjr. 



"At dawn the murderous work beyun — 
The battle fiercely rag^ed at noon — 
Evening; drew on, it was not done — 
The carnaire at Manassas." 



•=^A^ 



CHAPTER III. 

From Manassas we marched to Leesburg- on the Po- 
tomac River, crossed at a ford by wading- and went to 
Frederick Cit}', Maryland. As we entered the city, our 
band pla3'ed "Maryland, M}- Marj'land," and finished up 
with "Dixie," and a loud Rebel Yell was g-iven. We were 
ordered to Harper's Ferry where a detachment of Fed- 
erals were stationed. We captured them with all their 
g"uns and ammunition and rations, the latter always ac- 
ceptable to a Confederate soldier. After the prisoners 
we7e paroled, orders came for us to hasten to Gen. Lee's 
support at Sharpsburg-. Leaving- Harper's Ferr}- at dark, 
we marched all nig-ht, crossing- the Potomac at Martins- 
burg just at daybreak. We moved out about half a mile 
and stopped to close up the column, when a courier dashed 
up with orders for us to move fast, that the Yankees 
were pressing our line back. We were foot-sore and 
weary, but the booming of cannon and rattle of musketry 
supled our joints. The wounded beg-an to pass us, 
saying- : "Hurry up, boys, 3'ou are badly needed at the 
front." Just before reaching the battle field, we saw 
one poor fellow kneeling- behind a tree, praying- earnestly 
for the cruel war to close. He seemed to be badly de- 
moralized. We formed line of battle in the rear of 
Whiting's division and advanced to his support. We 
met the Yankees in an apple orchard, drove them back, 
re-estal)lished our lines, took }X)sition behind a rock 
fence and held it until orders came to recross the Po- 



24 Till'; \'i:ti;kan's Stokv. 

t(»niac. Tims (.-luKd llu- Maryland oampai;;!!. Worn 
out with lon;^- niarchos, wo wn-nt into eanip near Win- 
chester, \'a. A few (lays' rest, with i>lenty to eat, 
brou<^ht us around all rii^ht and we were ayi^ain ready to 
take up the mareli. About the 2.^rd of October we broke 
up canii)and crossed the Ulue Kidice Mountains to head 
the Federals, who were tryin;^- to «;"et between us and 
Kichinond. Near Culi)epper Court House we succeeded 
in «^ettin<^ in front of them. Our pickets were stationed 
on the south side of the river. The rest of the ami}' went 
into camp. While there our armv received some con- 
scrii)ts. In a few days the Federal army bei^an to 
advance. At the long- roll beat we fell into line in a hurry. 
The wind was blowin<r so hard that we could scarcely 
hear anything-. We mov<d uj) a long hill with the 48th 
Mississippi in front. When they reached the top of the 
hill oneof the old conscripts beat a hasty retreat. When 
he reached the head of our regiment the Colonel said : 
"Boys, he's thrown away all of his (juilts l)ut three." 
The boys all took it up and g-ave the old fellow "fits" for 
retiring in such haste. His reply was : "Boys, I would 
like the best in the world to go with you but I am not 
able this time." 

On reaching- theto])of the hill we saw the cause of this 
hasty retreat. The Yanks had crossed the river and a 
j)art of <iur division was lighting- them. The cannons 
■were firing- rapidly from both sides. We moved on to 
the support of our division and the Yanks soon fell 
back. Our wagon-trains were ordered to the rear. 
When the little fight was over there was a detail made 
to go to tlu- wagciii-train. draw and cook two davs' 



The Veteran's Story. 25 

rations. I was one of that detail. We started out to 
hunt the train, expecting- to find it camped three or four 
miles away, but not so. About 10 o'clock it was found 
ten miles in the rear. We reported to the officer in 
charg-e and drew our rations. Just then up came old 
"Conscript Quilts," ready for his g-rub. He could not 
g-o two or three hundred 3^ards to the front but ten miles 
in the rear. When the rations were ready our brigade 
came marching- by on the retreat. We joined them and 
fell back to the Rapidan River, near Orang-e Court 
House, where we remained a short time and then marched 
on to Fredericksburg-. Tlie Grand Army of the Po- 
tomac was now commanded hj Gen. Burnside, who 
thought he could beat us to Fredericksburg- and 
cross the river. But lo, and behold! Jackson's "Foot 
Cavalr}^," as we were called, were there awaiting- him in 
full force. Burnside halted on the opposite side of the 
river and went into camp to await the arrival of his 
pontoon train. We also went into camp to watch his 
movements. That was in December. One morning- at 
the roll call beat we fell into line, answered the call, 
cooked and ate breakfast and were hustling around the 
camp generally, whei) some of the officers looked at 
their watches and found it to be only 2 o'clock. In the 
east there was no sig-n of daylig-ht coming-, but every- 
thing was as bright as day. Finally, someone said that 
it was an Aurora Borealis. It was a grand sight. In a 
few days afterward there was a heavy snow storm; then 
we had fun fig-hting snow balls with each other. Some 
time before the battle of Fredericksburg- we were on 
picket duty on the river. A blizzard came upon us with 



26 The Vetekax\s Stoky. 

hoav}- slcct and bitter winds. Previously we had suffered 
witli the severe cold, but nothing" to compare with 
this. No tires could be made for fear the cnem}' would 
discover our posts and shoot at us. The picket line was in 
a valley and there was nothing" to protect us from the 
fearful blasts, which came very near freezing us to death. 

"On the old Rappahannock, on duty we stood. 
We poor, shivering^ boj'.s of the Gray ; 
The terrible trials of those cold, lonel}' nights 
Forever in memory- will stay." 

On the morning of the 11th of December, the Confed- 
erate signal guns were sounded to notify us that the 
Federal army was advancing. We fell into line and 
moved up to the front. Barksdale's Mississippi brigade 
was disputing- the Federals' passage over the river. 
They held them in check until Lee could form his lines. 
He then ordered Barksdale to retire and let them come. 
All day long they poured their men into Fredericksburg-, 
forming their lines up and down the river. The ground 
was covered with snow and we were nearly freezing, l)ut 
we stood there fully determined to conquer or die. The 
next morning- they moved upon our right flank. There 
they found Gen. Jackson prepared to recieve them. We 
were stationed upon the left just in the rear of Cobb's 
Georgia brigade, which was posted behind a stone fence. 
The enem}- advanced upon our right and left about the 
same time and was repulsed with great loss. It was ex- 
pected that they would renew the engagement the next 
day, but they decided to withdraw their forces to the 
opposite side of the river. That niglit they went back 
to their old quarters and we moved back to ours the next 



The Vetekan's Stoky. 27 

day. A few daj's after the battle we were sent out on 
picket dut}', just above Fredicksburg", on the river. 
While there, late one evening-, our band was playing- 
"Dixie" and the Federals were pla^'inj^ "Yankee 
Doodle." When the bands finished the airs, the Yankees 
struck up "Home, Sweet Home." Our band took up the 
strain and when the bands quit pla3'ing', "voice after 
voice caug-ht up the song-," and as far as we could hear 
on both sides, they were singing- "Home, Sweet Home." 
Of this little incident a Southern woman wrote; 

"And tog-ether strains were blended 

Bj' both armies — Blue and Gray. 
For the "plaintive notes appealing-," 

Spoke of loved ones far away. 

"In each soldier's heart is wakened 

Memories of a sainted home, 
Where his loved ones stood before him. 

Ere he faced the cannon's boom. 

"And the memory that was wakened 

By sonl-thrilling- music's art, 
Lighter made the Rebel's slumbers 

And subdued the Yankees heart." 

No one can ever full^- imag-ine the pathos that filled 
the hearts of the Southern boj's except the soldiers that 
were there. "Naught will ever rival "Dixie" and our 
sacred "Home, Sweet Home." 

After the battle of Fredericksburg-, Featherston was 
transferred to the army of Tennessee. Col. Pose}', of the 
16th Mississippi regiment, was made brigadier g-eneral 
and placed in command of our brigade. It was here, too, 
that our old chaplain left us and Rev. A. A. Lomax, a pri- 
vate, was appointed chaplain and remained with usduring- 
the darkest and bloodiest days of war, till the close. He 



28 The Vktkkan's Stoky. 

was always at his post of duty, faithful and true — a fine 
preacher and devoted friend of the soldier bo^'s. Gen. 
Burnside was now removed and Joe Hooker, "Fighting- 
Joe," as he was called, was placed in command of the 
Federal army. He reorganized the army and about the 
last of April the Federals began to move. The}' crossed 
one corps at Fredericksburg and moved the balance up 
the river to Kelly's Ford. About this time Professor 
Lowe made his appearance with his balloon. He would 
go up several hundred feet, spy over into the Rebel 
camps and report to Hooker. Jackson had his men so 
completely hid behind the forests and hills that Lowe, 
with his balloon, could not gain much information. He 
kept getting a little bolder ever}- day. He came down 
about four hundred yards from the river in front of Gen. 
Wilcox's brigade. The General soon got tired of being 
inspected b}' Lowe. He placed two or three big guns in 

position and said : "D the old cuss, if he goes up 

again I will bring him down." The next morning he 
went up and Wilcox brought him down. 

Hooker crossed the river at Kelly's Ford, turned dow^n 
stream and crossed the Rapidan, thinking b}- that move 
he would take Gen. Lee by surprise and turn the left 
flank of our army, but all the strategy that he could 
command did not find Lee and Jackson unprepared to 
receive him. Jackson's keen eye soon saw that the force 
in front of him at Fredericksburg was only to detain him 
until Hooker could turn t)ur left. But when Hooker 
reached Chancellorsville he ft)und a detachment of Lee's 
army in his front, commanded by Major General R. H. 
Anderson, "Old Tige," as he was generally called in the 



The Vetekan's Story. 29 

armj. He skirmished with the Yankees and held them 
in check till Jackson could come up from Fredericksburg-, 
On Friday evening- our division was in line of battle 
across the Orange Court House and Fredericksburg- plank 
road. About 3 o'clock we saw Jackson coming- up the 
road. Our boj-s commenced saying- : "Get ready, Jack- 
son is coming, we will soon be on the move," He rode 
up, saluted Cienerals Lee and Anderson and held a short 
consultation. He then rode to the front and ordered our 
brigade to advance as skirmishers. We moved out 
briskly and did not g-o far before finding- the Federal 
skirmish line. Moody's Mississippi batter}^ was ordered 
to advance with our skirmish line, w^iich the}' did in 
g-rand style. The Federal skirmishers were coon in full 
retreat with Stonewall at their heels. They were pressed 
back upon their main line. We then halted to await 
orders. B}' this time nig-ht was closing- in on us. Jack- 
son's men from below were coming- up forming- on our 
left. We knew that something- was g-oing- to happen 
soon, for Jackson never tarried when he went to battle. 
All nig-ht long" the tramp of soldiers was heard as they 
went passing b}', g"oing- to the left. In our front, we 
could hear the sound of the pick and spade. The 
Federals were preparing- to receive us the next dav. 
About 11 o'clock at night we were relieved by Gen. 
McLaw's division and we, too, moved to the left. We 
halted near a larg-e furnace, formed line and were 
ordered to rest upon our arms. Soon after halting-, 
three of us were detailed to report to headquarters. 
There we found R. E. Lee, T. J. Jackson and R. H. 
Anderson holding- a council of war. After reporting- 



30 The Veteran's Story. 

to them, \vc were instructed to f,^LUircl their horses and 
camp. 

About 3- o'clock Jackson was up, moving- around, 

preparing- for the work of the day soon to come. At 

sunrise, instead of advancing upon the enemy's works, 

he commenced moving to the left and thus continued 

moving 'till late in the evening. He then turned into 

the right and struck the Federal army, doubled up th^ir 

riirht wing, put them to flight and pressed them back to 

the Chancellor House. It was now getting dark. Our 

army was halted and re-formed. Jackson was at the 

front, placing his men in line. While examining the 

position of the Yankees, he rode into their picket line. 

They called to him to halt. He about faced and galloped 

back toward our line. Our men mistook him and his 

aids for the Federal cavalry and tired into them, 

wounding Jackson and killing- some of his aids. The 

officers tried to keep the bad news from their men but 

did not succeed very well, for nothing happened in the 

army but what some old ragged Rebel found it out. 

The news spread like wild lire all through the army, 

filling the heart of every Confederate soldier with sorrow. 

We were then in line of battle, ready to assail Hooker's 

(irand Army early next morning. The unconquerable 

Jackson could no longer give the unerring orders, it is 

true, butwe still had the grand old hero — K. E. Lee— at 

the head of the army; also A. P. Hill, John B. Gordon, 

R. H. Anderson ( "Old Tige" ) and J. E. B. Stuart, 

the great cavalry chieftain. All of ^ the above named 

officers stood high in the estimation of the army. J. E. 

B. Stuart was placed in command of Jackson's corps. 



Thk Vetkran's Story, 31 

In the night, about 3 o'clock, he passed down the line, 
sing-ing" : ''Old Jo Hooker, get out of the Wilderness," 
and giving directions for an advance. That morning 
at 9 o'clock the signal gun fired and we rushed upon the 
P^ederal lines with artillerv^ and infantry. They were 
soon put to flight. The Rebel Yell was heard all along 
our lines. 

After the Yanks had been routed. Gen. Lee rode up 
where we were re-forming. He was the grandest looking 
man that I ever saw. While he was there, a soldier boy, 
with a wounded hand, was passing by and said : "Bj' 
G — d. General, the Yankees have done me up, but we 
have given them h — ." Lee said: "Well, 3'ou are a 
brave soldier but 3'ou must not swear." He dismounted, 
took a white linen handkerchief from his pocket and 
wrapped it round the boy's hand, made a sling with a 
red silk one and placed the little fellow's hand in it and 
told him to g'o to the hospital and have the wound dressed. 
This pathetic incidentshows the gentleness and sx'mpath}' 
that was characteristic of Lee, The big old furnace at 
Chancellorsville battlefield had once been used for 
moulding iron. Pegrim's battalion of artillery was 
planted there. When the Federals opened fire on us the 
whole place wa? alive with bursting shell. They were 
searching the woods with shell for our reserve forces. 
In the rear of our batteries were acrts and acres of thick 
forests called the "Wilderness." These woods caught 
fire and raged in fury. Some of our wounded were in 
there but think most of them were brought out. About 
the time the fire started heavy firing was heard in the 
direction of Fredericksburg. Gen. Anderson was ordered 



32 The Veteran's Stoky. 

with his division to reinforce Early, who was fig-hting- 
Sedg-wick at Fredericksburg-. "Old Tige" soon had his 
men upon the field and drove the enem}- across the river. 
Thus wound up the battle of Chancellorsville, a g-reat 
Confederate victory. But alas I our Stonewall Jackson, 
one of the greatest g-encrals, lay with his grand, heroic 
life slowl}' fading- away from the effects of his wound. 
The cheering- words of Stonewall would never again g-o 
sounding- down the lines. Mayhap his g-entle spirit kept 
watch over the Southland's sons in hours of victory and 
despair. 



^ir 



CHAPTER IV. 

After the battle of Chancellorsville, we went into 
camp near Fredericksburg-, resting- for some time. About 
the middle of June we broke camp and commenced 
moving- North. As we passed by Chancellorsvalle we 
saw how the timber had been riddled all around us in 
that g-reat iig"ht. A long- wag-on train was ahead of us. 
We were among- the last troops leaving Fredericksburg- 
and were marching- slowly. On reaching- the old battle 
field we halted and went all over it. The old breast- 
works had not been disturbed. The Yankee's breast- 
works were powerful. It was a wonder to us Rebels 
how we had driven them out of such strong- fortifications. 
The enfilading- firing- of Peg-rim's g-uns, assisted by the 
infantry, made old JoeHooker move out in g^reat disorder. 

The grape vine dispatches were circulated all throug-h 
the army as to our destination. Some thought that we 
were going to flank Meade, who had superceded Hooker. 
Others thought we were going to Culpepper Court House 
to prevent Meade from flanking us on the left. But we 
continued moving north until we passed the Blue ridge 
Mountains at Swift Run Gap. As we entered the valley 
of Virginia it was rumored that we were going- to 
Washington. We crossed the Shenandoah river at 
Front Royal, there we took the road to Winchester. 
From Winchester we went to Martinsl)urg and there 
crossed the Potomac River. When we crossed, our band 
played, "Maryland, my Maryland," and finished up with 
"Dixie," then the Rebel Yell was given b}- the boys. 



34 The Vkteran'sStokv. 

From tluTc we went to Sharpsburj^. The route h;ul 
been familiar, so far, l)ut after leaving- Sharpsburg^ all 
was strangle to us. After passing- throug-h Hag'erstown, 
Md., we took the dirt road toChambersburg-, Pa., passing- 
several small towns on the way. I don't remember their 
names ; one, however, was called Germantown. The 
inhabitants were eng-ag-ed in truck farming, their 
principal crop being- onions, w^hich were very tempting- 
to a hung-ry Rebel, but we had positive orders from Gen. 
Lee not to disturb anything. There was one old "Reb" 
who could not stand to see so man}' fine onions without 
trying- some of them. So he lifted a picket from the 
fence, crawled in, and stooped down to pull up a very 
larg-e onion. About this time an old Dutch lady whacked 
him on the head with a long" handled broom; he beat a 
hasty retreat with the old lad}- close upon his heels, 
whacking- him every step. Finally he reached the place 
where he went in. As he went to crawl out she hit him 
with the broom handle but he held on to the onion and 
brought it out with him. Reaching Chambersburg, we 
marched through the principal street, our band playing- 
"Dixie." There were a few small Confederate flags 
displaced. They were thrown out from windows and 
pulled back in a hurry. When our band played "Yankee 
Doodle" the Stars and Stripes could be seen floating- 
from nearly every window in town. We moved out a 
mile from town and camped till the first day of July. 
Then we were ordered to move to Gettysburg^, w^here our 
army was concentrating. On entering the valley, some 
five miles from the town, the booming- of cannon was 
heard. Being ordered to hurry up, we knew what was 



TiiK Veteran's Story. 35 

on hand. Lee bad found the Yanks at last. Going- up 
to Heath's division, drawn up in line, with their 
skirmishers deplo3-ed, read}- to advance, we formed 
upon his left, threw out skirmishers and moved forward. 
Heath's men drove the Yankees througii the town while 
we supported his left. Nig'ht was now coming- on and 
we halted. On the second day Heath's division advanced 
ag-ain and drove the enemy from the hills beyond the 
town. About this time the whole army was coming- up. 
Late in the evening- there was a g-eneral advance along- 
our whole front and the Yankees were pushed back some 
two miles. We were now in possession of Seminar}- 
Ridge. G^n. Long-street's men came up about this 
time. They were ordered to storm Seminary- Ridg-e and 
hold it, but the}' failed to do so. We were ordered to 
rest upon our arms. During- the nig-ht the Federal 
arm}' was heard coming- up forming- their lines, g-etting- 
ready to receive us next day. All knew that a g-reat 
battle was to be foug-ht. Early on the morning- of the 
third we were advanced to the front and kept up a rapid 
skirmish fire till 10 o'clock, when we were relieved by 
Joe Davis' Mississippi brig-ade of Heath's division. We 
moved back behind our batteries to support them and as 
a reserve to be carried to any part of the line when 
needed. We crawled on top of the ridge and peeped 
over. The ridg-e in our front was lined with Federal 
batteries, also heavy bodies of infantry. In fact, the 
whole Federal army was there. We crawled back, 
threw up breast-works and g-ot behind them, for we 
knew pretty soon we'd catch shot and shell hot and 
heavy. Our assaulting- column had g-otten in position 



36 The Veteran's Stoky. 

when the sij^-nal g-un lired. When the liring- commenced, 
what a tumult it was ! The whole earth seemed to 
tremble. One of our bovs was completely buried alive, 
from a shell striking- our works. We scratched him 
out in time to save liis life. When the cannonading- 
ceased, our assaulting column moved forward. The}' 
Avcre not g-one long- and returned badly demoralized. We 
were ordered to the frt)nt to check the enemy if thev 
should advance, but they did not come. Our army 
remained on the field until next morning-, the fourth, 
when we were sent out on the skirmish line. The 
Yanks were still there, but n(jt anxious to renew the 
battle. About noon one Yank said : "Hello! Johnnie, 
have you g-ot any butter?" "No," said Johnnie. 
"Why ?" "Because," said the Yank, "You will need it 
to slide back into the Union on. ^"icksburg- is done up 
and Lee's army will be before he g^ets out of Pennsyl- 
vania. " " (to to the D— ,, you numbskull Yank, " 
replied the Keb. "Gen. Lee just bit off more than he 
could chaw, but he will carr}- his armv out all right; 
you will see." And sure enough he did. He brought 
us up at Hag-erstown, Md., and stopped for a few days, 
till our wag-on trains and beef cattle could be crossed 
over the Potomac in safety. Then our army started out 
for "Dixieland." We made the trip without being- 
molested, moved up near Winchester, ^"a., and went into 
camp to await the movements of the Federal army. 

About the first of September we were ordered to g-et 
ready to move. Leaving- Winchester and crossings the 
Shenandoah river at Front Koyal, we passed through 
Swift Kun (kip and turned down the Ka])pahannock 



The Veteran's Stoky. 37 

river, near Culpepper Court House, and went into catnp 
to await further developments of the Union Armv, 
which was camped on the other side of the river. In a 
few cfays Gen. Lee drew his army back to the Rapidan 
river. The Federal army advanced near the river and 
halted. Lee had a very stron*^ position but did not 
expect the eneni}- to attack him there. His object was 
to draw them as far as possible from their base of 
operations and then turn Meade's Hank, beat him to 
Manassas Junction, capture his supplies and g"ive him 
battle ag-ain on the historic plains of Manassas. Meade 
was sharp enoug-h to get out in time to save his bacon 
and "hard tack." We struck his rear g-uard at Bristo 
Station, had a sharp lig-ht with them, but as soon as 
dark came they went off, leaving- us in possession of the 
battlefield. Gen. Posey was killed in this fig-ht. Col, 
Harris of the 19th Mississippi was made Brig-adier 
General and placed in command of our brigade and 
continued in command till the close of the war. 

Next morning- we moved out into an old field. While 
marching- along- up jumped a i"abbit. The boys raised 
the Rebel Yell and lit out after it. It was soon caught. 
Then up jumped another one. Away went the boys 
after it, yelling- as if they were makingf a g-rand charge. 
The march was turned into a g-eneral rabbit hunt. After 
capturing- them we fell into line and moved out into the 
woods, camping- till the next day; then we marched back 
to our old camp near Orang-e Court House. When 
Meade found that Lee had retired he moved back near 
Culpepper Court House. It was Meade's time then to 
steal a march on Lee. So, he threw his army across the 



38 TiiK Vj'TKkan's Story. 

Rapidan at Raccoon Ford, on our rig-ht flank, but when 
he left the river to g-o to Richmond he found Ivce's army 
lirmlv jdanted in his front, on a small stream called 
Mine Run. Some little skirmish lighting- occurred 
during the day. That nig-ht Meade crossed the river, 
g-oing back to his old camp. The next day we went 
back to our old camp ground, went into winter quar- 
ters, remaining there till the next spring about the first 
of May. Lee was preparing to meet the advance of the 
Federal army, now under the leadership of Gen. U. S. 
Grant. On the fifth of Ma}- Grant threw^ his forces 
across the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford and headed for 
Richmond, He found Lee's arm}- in his front in the 
Wilderness. The lighting opened up prett}' livel}' on 
the 5th, and on the 6th the battle raged furiously all day 
long. Grant's army was held in check. It was expected 
that the battle would be renewed next day, but (xrant 
had enough of the Wilderness. He moved to his left 
and headed his column towards Richmond, but Lee was 
across his path at Spottsylvania Court House. On the 
12th of Ma}^ Grant assaulted and broke through, 
capturing Gen. Ed. Johnson and part of his division. 
"Old Tige" threw forward one or two brigades of his 
division and recaptured our works. Grant was not 
disposed to renew the battle. In a few days he made 
another side move. When he turned towards Richmond 
Lee was across his path awaiting him at Cold Harbor. 
Grant assaulted our lines with his heavy columns. 
From the first to the twelfth of June they were hand- 
somely repvilsed with heavy loss. Our loss was small. 
It was here that (irant decided to fight it out if it took 



The Veteran's Story. 39 

all summer. He drew his army back from our front and 
tried to beat us to Petersburg-. When the head of his 
column reached the vicinit}' of Petersburg- the Con- 
federate lin-^. was there ready for him. He assaulted 
our lines several times but was repulsed with heav^y loss 
at every point. He was convinced by this time that he 
could not g-et Richmond and Petersburg- by side 
movements. He commenced gradually moving- his lines 
up nearer to our front. We were continually firing- at 
each other day and night. During the seige of Peters- 
burg- Gen. Anderson was sent South and Gen. Mahone 
was made Major-General and placed in command of our 
division and continued in command till the close of the 
war. 



^ di dt 



CHAPTER V. 

At this time, every nij^ht, vedettes were placed out in 
front to watch the Yanks. It fell to mv lot one night to 
g-o. My post of duty was about one hundred yards in 
front, in a small grove of timber. Our instructions were 
to fire into any body of men and then run. I got to the 
post safely, sat down behind a tree and was peeping- 
around in every direction, expecting- every minute to see 
Grant's whole army coming- at once. Off to my rig-ht I 
heard a noise. Every hair on my head seemed to stand 
straight up and ni}' heart was beating- like a drum. 
Directly I heard the noise ag-ain, a little farther to my 
rear. I resolved to see what it was. If but one Yank, 
he would be captured, if more, I would fire and run. 
Creeping- up to the spot, expecting- to be shot every 
minute, I found a wounded turkey buzzard lying- on his 
back. It took me several hours to g-et over the scare. 
I returned to our lines next morning- feeling- very 
thankful that I was spared to g-ot back. 

In a short time Grant pushed his lines so close to ours 
that the vedette post had to be abandoned. It was now 
hot times around Petersburg^. The Yanks tried very 
hard to drive us out of our works. They dug a mine 
under our lines, blew up one of our posts, killing a 
number of our boys. 

They g-ot possession of a short space in our lines, but 
little Bill;- Mahone, with part of his division, soon drove 
them out and re-established the lines. The loss on the 
Federal side was g-reater than ours. After this they 



The Veteran's Story. 41 

settled down to rcg"ular sieg-e work, phmting- mot?ir 
batteries and heavy sieg-e guns. All the heavy metal 
they could throw did not move us. We were there to 
stay for a while. Several raids were made on Weldon 
and Petersburg- R. R. We would g-o down, brush them 
away and return to our lines, "home," as we called it. 
In one of these skirmishes our captain, D. F. Duke, was 
killed and T. J. Hardy, of Co. H., was placed in com- 
mand and held the command till the surrender. 

One day there \vas a detail of men working on the 
breast-works. Directly after the work was started the 
bullets commenced to whistle around them, killings one 
man and wounding- two. The men were ordered to 
scatter, which they did in double quick time. 

We spied around to find out where the bullets were 
coming from. Just about a mile in our front was a tall 
pine tree. Some of the boys saw a puff of smoke in the 
top of the tree and yelled : "Lie down boys !" Just as 
we la}' down the ball passed over us. Now, we had him 
treed. One of our officers stepped over to a battery to 
report him to the captain wlio searched for him with his 
spy-g-lass. He spied him and a rifled gun was turned on 
him, which brought the young- man down from his lofty 
perch. 

After that we worked on without being disturbed. 
The first of March we were sent over to guard our lines 
between the Appamattox and James rivers, remaining- 
there till April 5th, being- then ordered back to Peters- 
burg. We crossed the river above the town. On 
reaching- the top of the hill heavy firing was heard to 
our right. We soon learned that our lines were broken 



42 Thk Vkthran\s Story. 

and our men were in full retreat. Our division was 
ordered in line to check the enemy. The 16th and 48th 
Mississippi Reg"iments were placeil in a fort with instruc- 
tions to hold it, which we did till we were overpowered 
and forced to surrender. A few men from each reg^iment 
made their escape. I was one of that number. As I 
ran out of the fort Col. Ja3-ne was shot down rig-ht in 
front of me. I rolled over him and went running- on as 
fast as I could g-o. We surely' did do some g^ood old 
running-. (It was m}- g-ood fortune to escape capture 
during- the four years.)' The small number that escaped 
with me joined the 12th and l*>th Mississippi Reg-iments. 
We learned afterwards that Col. Jayne was only shot 
throug-h the hip and not killed. We fell back to our 
reserve line, remaining- there till after dark, when we 
were ordered to march. We bade farewell to the old 
historic town, leavings many of our valiant comrades 
resting- beneath the sod where they for ''home and 
countr}- fell." 



i^M 



v^mi- 



CHAPTER VI. 

We crossed to the north side of the Appomattox river 
and headed up stream. For five dajs and nio-hts we 
tramped, scarcely knowing- where. Finally, on the 9th 
of April, the Yankees rounded us up at Appomattox, 
Court House. We all knew then that the Southern 
banner would be furled and the "Star Spang-led Banner" 
wave in triumph. When the terms of surrender were 
agreed upon between Generals Lee and Grant, Lee 
issued his farewell address to the Armj of Northern 
Virginia. 

Farewell "Words of General Lee to the Army of Northern Virginia, 
The following- is Gen. Lee's fcirewell address to the 
Army of Northern Virg-inia : 

Headouakters Akmy Northern Va. 

General Order No. 9. — 

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed 
coura-e and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been 
compelled to yield to overpowering nuuibers and resources. I 
need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who 
have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this 
result from no distrust of them ; but holding that valor and 
devotion could accomplish nothing that coul J compensate for the 
loss that would have attended the contest I have determined to 
avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past vigor has endeared 
them to their countrymen. 

By the terms of agreement officers and men can return to their 
homes and remain there until exchanged. You will take with 
you the .satisfaction that proceeds from the consequences of duty 
faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful Gud 
will extend you His mercy and protection. 



44 The Vktkkan's Stokv. 

With an iiicroasiiij^ adiniiation of your constancj- and devotion 
of your country, and a {:jratefiil remembrance of your kind and 
f;"eiierous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate fare- 
well. K. E. LEE, General. 

When (ien. Lee was paroled be mounted his old gray 
war-horse -Traveller — and started towards his war- 
blig-hted home. As he passed throug-li our camps we 
all cheered him for the last time. The grandest chieftain 
the world has ever known g'ave us a farewell salute. He 
was gfracious, g-rand and g-allant in the sorest hour of 
defeat. 

When we surrendered, our division commander, Billy 
Mahone, formed a square of his di-vision, g^etting^ in the 
center of the square and delivered his eloquent and 
pathetic farewell address, paying- a g^lowing^ tril)Ute to 
his faithful men. The soldiers were paroled as fast as 
possible and turned loose to g-et home the best way they 
could. We had known nothing- but war for four years, 
but the home-journe}' was the "///<,' of war." No trans- 
portation, no rations, no money, rag-g-ed and heart-sick, 
with miles and miles between us and our homes "Away 
Down South in Dixie." 

"Through the Aj)ril weather's heart-break, 

The April weather's peace. 

Past mountains steep as black despair. 

Through flowery vales of ease, 

Mocked by the liquid sunshine, 

The lilt of nesting birds, 

The men in gray went straggling home 

With grief beyond all words. 

Still in each heart there echoed 

The beat of the last tattoo. 

And still the^' thrilled to the last wild charge 

The Southland Ijiigles blew." 

After moving- out a few miles from camp, in the 



The Veteran's Stoky. 45 

direction of the railroad, we saw that the road we were 
on would not do. So many had already ^^one on ahead 
of us that we knew the country was cleaned up of any- 
thing- that would do to eat. There were four of us of 
Company F, who decided to make the home-journey 
together. Holding a consultation to devise plans for 
our future operations, we decided to employ some of 
Stonewall Jackson's tactics and make a flank movement. 
We moved out by the right flank for several miles, until 
we passed beyond the line that the paroled army was 
traveling, then we came to a house where there was 
plenty of g-rub. The old gentleman of the house gave 
us all we wanted to eat. He also ^ave us some very 
good advice as to our journey home, and a diagram of a 
route that would lead us through a country where 
provisions were plentiful. The people living- on this 
route were nearly all loyal to the Confederates. Going- 
the proposed way, we found the people very kind. Some 
of them would ask us to stop several days and rest, but 
we were anxious to get home and declined to accept their 
hospitality, pushing on as fast as we could for -Home, 
Sweet Home." 

After crossing: the Dan river we entered North 
Carolina, where some strong- Unionists were found Thev 
treated us very well, but run it on us about bein:. 
whipped. Being- in no humor to discuss the war question 
the subject was quickly changred by asking- for somethino- 
to eat. \\e spent one night in this neighborhood^ 
stopping: with a very old man. He said that he was .r]-id 
that the Yankees whipped us. His wife spoke up^'and 
said: "Well, old man, these here boys don't want to 



4f) The \'ivT]:kan's Stoky. 

hear that kind of talk, and if I was you, I wduUI stop it." 
And he did. When we went to supper the old lady 
ap()loL;-ized for not having- any coifee. I told her that I 
could furnish the coffee if she would make it. Taking" 
a small sack of (^round coffee from my haversack, I 
passed it over to her. Examining- it carefully, she 
exclaimed: "Ivordy, massy! its rale old coffee shore 
'nough." She soon made a potful and those two old 
folks seemed to enjoy it. 

Next morning- we moved on. The people were very 
generous all throug-h North Carolina, Georg-ia and 
Alabama. Between Washington, (xa., and Atlanta we 
struck the country- where Sherman's raid had been. 
Everything was swept clean. At Washington we had 
drawn rations on our paroles. We would have fared 
badlv in this country if we had been without provisions. 
Atlanta was in ashes ; all the railroads were torn up. 
Everything a wreck. 

Reaching West Point, we crossed the Chattahoochee 
river in a canoe and went to Montgomery, Ala. There 
wc crossed the Alabama river on a pontoon bridge. 
From there wj went to Selma. Two miles from Selma 
we boarded a train — the first train we had been on 
since we left Appomattox. At Demopolis, the Tombigbee 
river was crossed on a small steamboat. After 
crossing, we got on a train headed for Meridian, Miss. 
Reaching Meridian we saw the destructive work of 
Sherman, in our dear old State. The town was in ruins. 
Only one house of note was left standing, which was the 
old Jones Plouse. After getting off the train, three of 
our old Jasper count3' friends, John McCormick, liilly 



The Yktkkan's Stoky. 47 

Bramc and Henry C(^ok, greeted us. We were certainly 
g-lad to see them. John McCormick told us the news 
from home and the sad news of my brother being- killed 
at the battle of Mobile. I was barefooted and Henry 
Cook carried me to their camp and g-ave me a new pair 
of shoes. He said that it would never do for his old 
neig-hbor's son to g-o home barefooted. The g-ift was 

surely appreciated. These boys were with 's army, 

which was camped at Meridian. Josiah Jones, the 
proprietor of the Jones House, asked us to dine with 
him. We accepted the invitation, remaining- there till 
1 o'clock that nig-ht, when three of us took the south- 
bound train for Shubuta, Clarke county. Our other 
comrade bade us farewell at Meridian, taking the A. & 
V. train for Vicksburg-. We g-ot to Shubuta at half past 
two o'clock. No one was there to greet us, and we 
immediatelv started for our homes, which were some 25 
miles distant. We g"ot out about eig-ht or ten miles from 
town -just at the break of day, without seeing anybody. 
About 10 o'clock we reached the neig-hborhood where 
some of our company enlisted from. One mother wrung- 
her toil-worn hands in ang-uish when told that her 
g-allant boy would never come home a<^ain. But such is 
the cruelty of war. 

It w^as 4 o'clock in the evenings when we reached our 
homes and there was g-reat rejoicing- over the safe return 
of "Our boys from Lee's army." 

Ah, it seems but yesterday, when I review those 
thrilling- days of the "sixties." But, 

"The years have {j^^lided onward 
Since those eventful days. 



48 Tup: V];tkkan's Stoky. 

We've learned to love 'Old (ilory' 
And ever speak its ])raise." 

"The flowers of peace have blossomed 
In our sweet Southern clime 
North and South's been blended 
B3' g-enerous hand of Time." 

The Veteran's Stor_v is told ! 'Tis thirty years and 
more since the events of the stor}- transi>ired. A new 
and flourishing- Southland sprung- rapidly up from the 
ruins of the old. The fair cities that the enemy laid in 
waste have arisen in beauty and streng-th, as if by 
magic. 

The beautiful land we view with pride — 
The land for which men fought and died. 

When the sons of Blue and the sons of Ciray marched 

side b}' side beneath the tropic sun, fighting the Spanish 

foe, the past was blotted out. With the Blue they have 

blended the glories of Gray. 

From sunkissed Southland 

Unto chilly North a greeting- goes — 

A greeting of unity and love ; 

"No North, no South" — one country 

And a people grand ;ind great. 

United stand to share their Nation's joys and woes 

From over Southern seas Avas heralded 

The tidings of a mighty victory, 

Columbia's gallant sons unloosed 

The shackles of a hapless isle 

And planted Freedom's banner there. 

Beneath the lurid light of war Nations may strike 
with mighty hand, planting Freedom's banner in 
oppressed realms. Martial heroes may accomplish 
wonderful achievements and wear the victor's laurels, 
but the history of the valiant hosts of our Southland 
fair will ever be unrivaled. 'J'ime adds new lustre to the 



The Vp:tekan's Story. 49 

g-lories of the past. One b}' one the Veterans pass 
away ! The valor of men who wore the Gray will be 
cherished in thrilling- song- and story. Heroic souls of 
Southland will not wear}' of repeating- the story of that 
mig-htv Chieftain and his war-worn followers wlien 
they 3'ielded up their cause at historic Appomattox. 

RoBEKT E. Lee. 

In fair old Virginia there are far winding' valleys — 

Murmuring rivers flow swiftly along. 
The tall mountain peaks are bold in their grandeur 

And send back the echo of the river's low song. 

Ah, grand '"Old Dominion"' — the birthland of heroes 

A tribute of love is wafted to thee. 
Thy deep azure skies so softly are bending 

O'er the beautiful land of our Robert E. Lee. 

* In that picturesque clime there's sublime inspiration, 

From Nature our Lee gleamed the beautj' of Truth. 
In the home of his childhood, a mother's devotion 

Taught life's higliest lessons in the days of his youth. 

The father, when oft' in the isles of the tropics. 
Seeking for health that to him was denied. 

Wrote words of true wisdom to a son at old Cambridge, 
In the pages of history we read them with pride. 

"Tell me news of the children — you know how I love 

them," 

Sent words of affection as a true father would. 
"May they go in Truth's road to the Temple of Virtue — 

My dear little Robert -he always was good." 

When war clouds were gathering and Southland was 

stirring 

With wrath that ere long unfettered would be, 
In hours of turmoil no heart was more loyal ; 

Yes, fervent and true was the love of our Lee. 

His prayer was for peace — ah, his land was in peril. 
To the field of dread warfare he earnestly went. 

For his country he cherished heroic devotion 
By power supreme such a leader was sent. 



50 TiiK Victkkan's Stoky. 

The ideal of hi.storv the soldier so j;-lorious. 
His memory is sacred - from blemish it's free. 

No word of reproach can justly be s])okeii 
To mar the pure name of our Kobert E. Lee. 

When he saw that victory was lost by the Southland 
In manner that ever was noble and g-rand ; 

The vanquished yielded his cause to the victor 

And was crowned with the love of fair "Dixieland." 

In virtue no warrior has rivaled our hero 
So loyal to duty — the Southland's true son. 

In the world's j^reat arena his life was triumphal — • 
The homage of Nation.sour <,^rand hero won. 

A laurel wreathed victor ne'er won such devotion 
On the records of valor no name we e'er see 

That shines with such lustre— still brif^hter it's growiu},'- 
The name of that Chieftain— our Kobert E. Lee. 

In comparing- the lives of Lee and Jackson, we note 
the great contrast of their boyhood training, Lee being- 
cared for and trained by the g-entlest and truest of 
mothers and all his surroundings were elevating and 
refining^. Jackson was a poor little fatherless boy. 
From childhood he learned to battle his way in the 
world with a firm, resolute will, destined to conquer. 
This unyielding spirit of boyhood never forsook him. 
This will of the general taught his men that defeat was 
impossible and broug-ht the flag of triumph out of every 
battle. 

The warrior hero— grand and great — 
Defeat he never knew. 

ADA CHRISTINE LIGHTSEY. 



The Vetkkan's Stoky. 51 

AN INCIDENT OF APPOMATTOX. 

^^ t^^ t^^ 

To a story oft-times I have listened 

Of a son of the Southland so true, 
And the soul-stirring- story, dear people, 

I gladly will tell it to you. 

He carried in battle the colors 

In the midst of the fast-flying- shell, 
And if for a moment you'll listen 

The deed of this hero I'll tell. 

When at last the great conflict was over, 

And lost was the dear Southern cause. 
He clung to his flag with devotion. 

Which won from his comrades applause. 

"Can I yield up my flag — the tattered old flag — 

Into hands of the vanquishing foe ?" 
He gathered it close to his true Southern heart 

And fearlessly answered "No !" 

"It has led on brave men to glory and fame. 

Of heroic hearts 'twas a hope and a pride, 
For thy colors, dear flag — thj' Stars and th3' Bars 

Many brave men have battled and died." 

"In this dismal hour of gloom and defeat, 

When our cause sinks down in despair. 
The foe may demand you, dear flag of our hopes, 

But I'll keep you and guard you with care." 

So saying, he hid it securely beneath 

His battered old jacket of gray. 
And somewhere in Southland that old battle flag 

Is treasured by Veterans to-day, 

ADA CHRISTINE LIGHTSEY. 



The color bearer of the IGlh Mississippi Regiment 
was the hero of the above incident. 



»M13 



W99 



